10 things i want my daughters to know

Having girls is a challenge, a real challenge. How do you help to not feel insecure about themselves? How do I make my daughters feel empowered? In order to answer these questions I decided to google "things that I want my daughters to know" and I found this blog post from the Modern Mom blog. It really spoke to me and I wanted to share it here with you.

10 Things I Want my Daughters to Know:

1. It’s OK to feel vulnerable. It happens to everyone, even if they don’t admit it. If you feel bad about something, ask, read, look for help. It doesn’t matter how big or small you think your problem is.

2. Be courageous. Always dare to say and do what you think is right. Never be afraid of speaking your mind. Learn when and how to say “No” and not feel bad about it. Be assertive, not aggressive.

3. Take care of yourself. Exercise and eat healthy – not because you have to be skinny, but because your body is where you live and you want to treat it the best way you can.

4.  Respect yourself. Never tell yourself something that you would not tell your best friend.

5. Never feel bad about something you cannot change. Learn from the experience and move on.

6.  Make your own decisions – before someone else does. Always remember that every decision you make can have a great impact in your life.

7. What you see in magazines and on the Internet is not always real.  Photoshop exists, never forget that!!

8.  Forget about what people think about you. What do YOU think about yourself? That is what really matters.

9. Be grateful, humble and compassionate with others. Be open to others’ opinions. There is always something you can learn.

10. When people tell you “life is tough”, don’t listen to them! Life gives you opportunities to learn; what you make out of it is what makes life beautiful.

What would you add to the list?

Happy Homemaker Monday- 2/20/2017

Good evening everyone and welcome to another Happy Homemaker Monday!

This weekend literally flew by..... we went to see the Lego Batman movie and we even to a birthday party at the park, and then on Sunday, we spent the day together and just relaxed.

That being said, let's get on with our Happy Homemaker post!

The weather:: 

Oklahoma is had some tempermental weather lately. One day it's in the 90s and then the next day it's in the 40s and raining. This week we are looking at it being in the 70s so it should be very nice.

On my reading pile:: 

I need to find a new book to read. Does anyone have any suggestions?

On my TV: 

Watching Gilmore Girls, again.... I think I need some new show to watch. Again... any suggestions?

On the menu this week::

Monday- Pizza (it was Girl Scout night)
Tuesday- Taco Tuesday
Wednesday- Beans, fried potatoes
Thursday- Breakfast for dinner
Friday- Chicken fried chicken, mashed potatoes, carrots
Saturday- Crock pot Lasagna
Sunday- Beans, fried potatoes

On my to do list:: 

Vacuum
Clean bathrooms
Plan this week and next week
Organize the laundry room
Set deadlines for the second issue of our newspaper

What I am creating::

Nothing at the moment, but I should be working on some planner inserts and my cookbook.

Looking around the house::

The living room needs to be picked up and the kitchen needs to be cleaned as well.

From the camera::

A new project that I am working on

What I'm wearing today::

My pjs since it's about time for bed. 

One of my simple pleasures::

Spending time with my husband and girls.

Bible verse, devotional, or prayer::

A Few of My Favorite Things

Hi Lovelies!!

I just wanted to pop in and share a few of my favorite things with you. These are the things that I am loving right now... so here we go!

1. This 14 minute workout

2. These meal planning tips

3. This simple bullet journal layout.

What some of your favorite things?

Ten Things You Never Knew about Feburary

Since we are in the middle of February I thought it would be fun to share some interesting facts about the month. So, let's get to it:

1. February is named after the purification ritual Februa, which was a sort of early Roman spring cleaning festival.

2. In Old English, February was called Solmonath (Mud month) or Kale-monath (Kale or cabbage month).

3. February frequently occurs in lists of the most commonly misspelt words in the English language.

4. The Americans have trouble with the word February too – last year, a press release from the White House consistently spelt it as Feburary.

5. Much Ado About Nothing is the only Shakespeare play that mentions February.

6. Before Julius Caesar’s calendar reform of 45BC, February was the only month with an even number of days. All the rest had 29 or 31.

7. February is the only month that can pass with no full moon. This will next occur in 2018.

8. In the USA, February is National Pet Dental Health month. It is also Hot Breakfast month.

9. The birthstone for February is amethyst. The birth flower is the violet or iris.
 

10. The ancient Greeks believed that amethyst protected the wearer from drunkenness

 

Evening Routine

Disclaimer:  I know it my sound strange to start off talking about the evening routine first, but I think that your evening routine sets the pace for the morning routine. 

Today I'm sharing what I do on a typical day from the time my oldest comes home from school until the time my husband and I go to bed. This is easily my most favorite time of the day because it means I get to spend it with the ones I love the most!


4:00pm- prep/make dinner, homework

Sometime around 4pm I start to prep for dinner while my oldest begins working on her homework. During this time my youngest is usually sitting on the kitchen floor playing with some of her toys while I get dinner prepped and started. Meanwhile the husband is having his "me time".

5:00pm- eat, clean kitchen, sweep/mop floor, take out trash

Around 5pm we sit down to dinner. This is where we catch up on our day and talk about our weekend plans. After dinner, I will wash the dishes, put any leftover food in the fridge. Then I will clean and disinfect the counters and the stove, and sweep and mop the kitchen. Last, I will take out the trash.

6:00pm- baths (Angelina and Cadence), wind down from the day, TV/PC time. Check backpack, check homework, layout clothes for the next day

Around 6pm, I will give Cadence her bath and then I will have Angelina take a shower and put her pjs on. Then I will let the kids play together and Paul and I will watch some TV or just try to sit and talk. During this time, I will also check Angelina's backpack and her homework and layout her clothes for the next day.

7:00pm- bedtime routine (Cadence, cup of milk/stories/cuddle)

8:00pm- bedtime routine (Angelina, stories, write in journal, cuddle)

9:00pm- declutter living room and dining room, prep Angelina's lunch (if she is taking it).

9:30pm- 12:30am- blog work, computer work, relax

Wow, when you list everything out, my evening looks really busy!!!

What does your evening routine look like?

Currently- 2/11/17

 Time and place: 12:33pm and I am in the dining room, sitting at the dining room table, typing up this post.
 
Eating: Spaghetti and meatballs with green waters and big glass of water

Drinking: A big glass of water (always)

Watching: Gilmore Girls (I'm on season 4). I think I need to find something new to watch

Reading: Still reading The Princess Diaries by Meg Cabot

Loving: the inserts that I made for my "everything" planner.

Working: Right now, I am working on some more inserts and some planner bands for the shop and I am working on my first ebook.

Listening: The TV

Buying: Nothing at the moment

Planning: my ebook and setting up a writing schedule, setting up a schedule for my cookbook and meal planning strategy guide.

Wondering: can I pull it off?

Feeling: tired, but happy.

What are you currently up to?

February Goals

Hi Lovelies!

I should have written this post at the beginning of the month...... life just gets in the way sometimes. Anyway, it's time to talk about my goals for this month. I will recap my January goals in a later post.

1.  Set up a budget and follow it
2.  Read 2 books
3.  Blog at least 3x per week
4.  Workout 3x per week
5.  Open new store on shop envy
6.  Follow a daily cleaning schedule
7.  Follow a morning and evening routine consisitently
8.  Update magazine facebook page daily
9.  Sell at least 2 ads per week
10. Find new story ideas

Do you make monthly goals? If so, what are some of your goals for the month of February?

Friday Favorites

Welcome to the second week in Feburuary!Between celebrating my birthday and planning all things Valentine's day, I may be slighlty particial to the month of February... but what can I say? It's such a fun month all around  and I love that we get another excuse to spread the love. But before I get ahead of myself  I want to share with you some of my favorite things from this week.

Here we go....

Favorite treat:  These awesome Nutella cupcakes

Favorite read:  This Stephen King novel is one my of favorites.

Favorite movie :  Hands down Dirty Dancing! I watch this movie often and it drive the Husband crazy!

Favorite movie quote: From the Notebook, of course....

What some of your Friday Favorites?

Sunday Survey

Hi Lovelies!!

It's been awhile since I have done a post like this, so I thought it would be fun do another one. Enjoy!

1. What is your all time favorite song?

This is an easy one!! I love any song by Bon Jovi, but favorite song of all time is "You Give Love a Bad Name

2. What is your favorite singer/band?

Even easier!! Hands down Bon Jovi!!!

3. What is your theme song/song that best describes your life?

 Livin' On a Prayer! Yes, another Bon Jovi song! I told they were my favorite band.

4. What song puts you in a good mood?

Call Me Maybe

5. What is your favorite road trip music

All of the 80s hair bands would be on the list
American Girl-Bobbie McGee
Call Me Maybe- Carly Ray Jepson

6. What song are you embarrassed to admit you love?

This is one song that I am embarrassed to listen to!

Superbowl Eats

Hi Lovelies!!

Superbowl LI is in two days, so I thought I would share a few recipes that I plan on making with you. Enjoy!!

Hawaiian Ham and Cheese Sandwiches

Ingredients:

• 20 small Hawaiian sweet rolls, cut in half crosswise
• 1 pound deli black forest ham, sliced
• 20 slices provolone cheese
• 8-oz. container spreadable cream cheese
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, melted
• 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 2 tablespoons dried minced onions
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tablespoons poppy seeds

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Coat a 9x13 baking dish with cooking spray. Line the bottom of the pan with the bottom halves of the sweet rolls. Top with the ham, then the provolone cheese slices. Spread the cream cheese onto the bottoms of the sweet roll tops and place them in a layer on top of the cheese.
2. In a medium bowl, combine the butter, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, onions and Parmesan cheese. Mix well and pour evenly over tops of the sandwiches. Sprinkle the poppy seeds over the top.
3. Cover with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes, or until warmed through. Cut at the seams with a knife and serve warm!

Loaded tater tot skewers

Ingredients

• Bag of Tater Tots
• 8 slices of cooked bacon, chopped
• 1 cup of cheese, grated
• 1 tablespoon ranch seasoning
• skewers

Directions

1. Cook your tater tots according to directions until golden brown in color. Ours was in a 425 degree oven for 20-30 minutes.
2. Once you pull them out of the oven, let cool for approximately 2-5 minutes until you can skewer them onto the skewers. I suggest 6-7 per skewer.
3. Once on the skewers and on the pan, sprinkle ranch dressing over each of tater tots.
4. Then sprinkle the bacon and then the cheese.
5. Into the oven for an additional 10 minutes until the cheese is fully melted and golden in color.
6. Remove from oven and serve.

Atlanta Falcons popcorn